“ Chase him. Don’t let loose of his tracks.” A huge figure bellowed causing surges of steam to escape his cold lips.

“ We can’t come so close and let him slip!” Fumed Gallagher as he and his men charged into the Dark Pine -woods.

“ It’s the cursed woods! We should abandon the chase for today.” “ The beast is wounded and will die on it’s own.” Panted Sacramento who was by far the slimmest among the dozen men in Gallagher’s gang.

“ You Urchin. Hit the market and sell frogs like your damn mother!” Roared Gallagher as he lanced into the dark woods, ignoring the warning of his subordinate.

“ There’s blood on this Orchid. The beast was here.” Palpitated Durban who was in unarguably the Gang member that harbored an insatiable taste for harming people. It was his ruthlessness and ease to deploy carnage that had charmed Gallagher to take him in at a young age. As if Being a member of the Black -rose gang wasn’t privileged enough, Durban had become to Gallagher; a diamond where others were stones.

“ That’s my boy.” Silvered Gallagher as he hurried towards bed of orchids. “ move in pairs and mop the radius. The beast isn’t far from here.” He added.

“ Aye Captain!” Bellowed Durban and signaled another member to tag along.

“ Not You Sacramento. stay with me.” “ You are dumb yet attract good luck.” Gallagher Intoned.

“ Aye Captain!” Offered the thin human, wiped his sweaty brow and charged along with a revolver in his hand and a dagger in the other.

All men were wild and ready for a kill. From how they ran, one could deduct they stood to gain a lot if there search was successful. At forty, Gallagher had achieved a feat of reckoning from the people of Texas which top politicians did not enjoy. He operated with the laxity of a demi-god.

Soon search for their target had led them to the heart of the Pine-forest; synonymous for harboring cruel creatures that took delight in bringing death to the souls of men.

“ There’s a dwelling over the hill. Let’s go.” Gallagher commanded and charged towards the hill while his men followed.

“ What an ugly cottage. I hope the beast hasn’t digested the poor owners yet.” He averred with a grin and dashed downwards with great athleticism.

“ Careful guys, I smell a curse.” Hissed Sacramento, as the gang encircled the rickety cottage while Gallagher and Durban headed for the door. One deep breath; a step backward and a forward plunge was all it took Gallagher to bring down the frail door of the cottage. Quickly, he rushed into the room pointing a revolver at anything that moved while Durban watched over him with a pistol.

“ Gallagher!” A feminine voice exclaimed. “ Wouldn’t you leave me alone!” The voice panicked, While lurking In the dark.

“ Well oh well, if It isn’t the traitor’s daughter. I’m disappointed at the beasts that Haven’t churned you to pieces.” Averred Gallagher as he dawned on the darkness even though he couldn’t see her.

“ How dare you? My father was innocent.” exclaimed the voice.

“ Shut up witch!” Gallagher Barked and pulled out a dagger with from it’s scabbard.

“ Take my life as you caused those of my parents!” She stuttered, daring death to head forward and revealing her fair face in the dim light. She’s tall, slim and has a diamond shaped face with small red lips; a narrow nose and big blue- eyes. Her hair is black. Both her rear and breasts are beautifully in prime.

“ Wouldn’t that be too much mercy for an Urchin like you? Sooner or later, one of this hungry beast would take you as a snack.” “ And if they fail to, then loneliness should do the job.” Intoned Gallagher and burst into a rude cackle.

“ Leave my cottage.” She fumed but began to step backward as Gallagher ambled towards her. A ghost-silence soon enveloped the cottage, eloping each soul in anticipation. Only the pelts of Gallagher’s boots against the wooden floor was heard. Her plump rear was now against the wall and there was no where else to go. With a sudden plunge, He seized her neck, pulled her forward and sniffed aggressively on it. She screamed in fright with her eyes thrown aghast in shock.

“ Have you by any means Seen a wounded man run past here tonight?” He queried in a surprisingly calm tone.

“No! No I’ve not. Let go!” She cried out as she struggled to loosen his grip on her neck.

“ I see.” “ Be calm you urchin. Hey Durban, Call in the guys and search.” Gallagher hummed with his palm still wrapped around her neck.

“ Are you lying to me my dear? You smell of the beast.” He silvered and tightened his grip on her neck. Overwhelmed, she gave up struggling and let her body loose. Gallagher let go, causing her to fall to the floor, frantically coughing to resuscitate her tensed lungs.

“ I haven’t seen anyone but you. Leave me alone!” She cried as she crawled away from his proximity. Soon, the gang had flooded the cottage in search of their target. The old curtains were torn to shreds and so was the cushion-chair. her hay-mattress was ripped apart, yet no sign of the target was found.

“ Well oh well. A make over to your cave is what my boys have freely offered you. I believed you the whole time. We just needed something to vent on and these shabby apartment was good enough. Adieu witch.” He intoned and headed out. “ Guys, let’s get out of here. Tomorrow is tax season.” He added as he exited the cottage.

“ Master; Blood!!!” Yelled Durban and crashed to the floor, sniffing on a drop of red liquid.

“ Shift off my way you Urchins.” Purred Gallagher as he shoved his men away and headed back inside the cottage where Durban stooped.

“ Master. This is fresh blood. I have a strong feeling that the beast was here.” Gabbled Durban and dipped the tip of his tongue on it. Scared of the worse, her eyes widened in Fright as she gazed at Gallagher returning with a scowl.

“ Get away from that pudding you Urchin, that’s the blood from her cursed loins.” Averred Gallagher causing the rest of the gang to burst into laughter. Still on the Floor where she lay, she gazed at her gown and could see a stained portion of blood. Quickly, she doffed her gaze and masked her fallen face with her palms.

“ let’s get going guys. We have a village to raid. Oh sorry, I mean a village to tax.” Cackled Gallagher

While Durban knelt in frustration with a steel Dagger held close to his ejected tongue.